CHAPTER Ix REGION v BICOL REGION Learning Objectives At the end of the chapter, learners are expected to: 1. Discuss the geographical location of Region V- Bicol Region 2. Explain the culture and traditions of Region V- Bicol Region. 3. Identify the different provinces of the region.REGION V- BICOL REGION Bicol Region also known as aio Biplane: Is ‘one of the regions nem, of the Philippines. It consists me ‘ of six (6) provinces: Albay, _ enmamumes sus Camarines Norte, Camarines : Sur, Sorsogon, and the island- po near provinces of Catanduanes and Masbate. Sibuyan The Bicol Region is located in the southernmost tip of Luzon Island, the largest island in the Philippine archipelago. The . Me es total land area of the region is 18,054.3 km2 (6,970.8 sq mi), or 5.9% of the total land area of the country. Around 69.3% of the total land area is alienable and disposable while the remaining 30.7% is public forest areas. The region is bounded by Lamon Bay to the north, the Paci Ocean to the east, and Sibuyan Sea and Ragay Gulf to the west northernmost province, Camarines Norte, is bordered to the north ~ province of Quezon, thereby connecting the region to the rest of uzon. b o Bicol Region is volcanic in origin and part of the Pacific Ri Fire. Known as the Bicol Volcanic Arc or Chain, the volcanoes are the results of the Philippine Sea Plate subducting under the Philippine Mobile Belt, along the Philippine Trench. Volcanism is evident by the number of hot springs, crater lakes, and volcanoes that dot the region starti from Mount Labo in Camarines Norte to the Gate Mountains in Matnog, Sorsogon. Mayon Volcano is the most prominent of the volcanoes in the region, famous for its almost perfect conical shape and for being the most active in the Philippines. Its eruptions have repeatedly inflicte disasters on the Tegion, but during lulls in activity, it is a particularly beautiful mountain. The southernmost tip of the peninsula is dominate? | by Bulusan Volcano, the other active volcano in the region. Tiwi in Albay | and the Bacon-Manito area between Sorsogon and Albay are the sites 0 | two major geothermal fields that contribute substantially to the Luzo" | Power Grid. | The region is generally hilly and mountain few | stretches of plains extending from Camarines Sur to the sputhwester part of Albay and several smaller coastal and inland Plains in other part of the peninsula. It has many rivers, lakes, bays, mountains, volcanoes: and waterfalls, caves and springs. The beautiful and interésting spotsell distributed i e imposing and fiieed area. The region is dotted with volcanoes with th ic Mayon Volcano as the most dominant. Though descri ein Reeth inane by the Spanish missionaries as the friendliest rac ely resisted the Fiver temperate and religious, the Bicolanos fierada reported how hey to subdue them in 1573. Fr. Martin de ior arms. Their chi 'y refused to surrender unless forced into it by suftedo's officer, Captain Dern ey opposed the Spanish forces led by a A vez, city of Caceres next to the indigenous Siliene aenaoa os Se Filipino is the official dialect i . oe although the English language 's widely Cee schools and in business transactions. Bicol the e Provinces. ies, though, among the different municipalities The Bicolanos observe an annual festival in honor of the Virgin of Penafrancia every third Sunday of September. The towns of Naga comes alive. During the celebration, a jostling crowd of all-male devotees carr es the image of the Virgin on their shoulders to the cathedral, while shouting Viva La Virgin! For the next seven days people, mostly Bicolanos, come for an annual visit light candles and kisses the image of the Virgin. To the Bicolanos, this affair is religious and cultural, as well. Every nig) shows are held at the plaza the year’ h 's biggest cockfights take pla bicycle races are held and the river, a lively boat race precedes the fluvial procession. At noon of the third the Image on their shoulders preced image is boarded onto the barge and tl Saturday of the month, the devotees c led to the packed waterfront. T' ‘he procession begins. With much splashing back to the ‘old chapel until next year’s celebration n their love songs such as Sarong Bi Bicolano art is shown i Burac na Magayon and others. Among the young songs about Popular. To the Bicolanos, the Ibalon, a story of heroism, is en epic. mportant The Bicolanos live in the provinces south of Luzon Community namely Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Albay and Sorsogon. With large tracts of land, farming has become the chief occupation of the people. They also engaged in fishing, logging, cattle- raising and handicraft. i rvative. They be The Bicolano is conse To some extent h old than take a risk in the new. Bicolano has begun to change gradually: ; , those of the other people of Luzon. They pace way of life rose in hem, they expresses his feeling and Sentimn ves songs a! ds their leisure time dancing, singing, playing itiments. They spen d in cockfighting. They also plays Musical instrument like the guitar” on lieve it is safe to stick to the jowever, the educated 111breached to the east, e Mount Iriga is a 7 horseshoe-shaped ¢ypometre (3,924 ft) vol i (foregrouna). Collapseg Crater locate) adja ar ieee ead « Mount Malinao j crater about 3km at ite Smetre (5,079 ft) volcano with a large geothermal fields of 1; widest, which is breached to the east the + Mount Masaroge, Tiwi is located on its lower eastern slope. Holocene volcano Nw oF mene, topped prsesimetes 4(4,357; 8) Mayo i ' . net aes the highest at 1,196 metres (3,924 ft), is also the ; '€ region for its beautifully symmetrical cone. * Pocdol Mountains with its highest elevation at 1,102 3,615 ft) is a fumarolic g Carn eeauaiGeion roup of vi i Sorsogon provinces, p ‘olcanoes situated between Albay and * Bulusan Volcano, the other active 1 A volcé t altitude of 1,565 metres (5,135 ft). sear al asclecpab PROVINCES Albay is a province of the Philippines ” "caDanEAmS located in the Bicol Region in ‘ = Southeastern Luzon Island. The name ee Bicol first came to be known as the name of the biggest and longest river — in the region. The river comes from _ the outflow of lakes a springs on aa > the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur ? and Camarines Norte and form a large @ LecazPL cry stream that exits in the San Miguel ee Bay, off the shores of Camarines Sur. cual The people of the region are called tune: fm Bikolanos and the language is called Bikol. led Albayanos. Albay is a province Com, a citizens of Atites and 3 cities. The capital of the province °5 Leg 2p) Ci y Tr was named after Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the eas eg2zpi ity. ho came to the Philippines in oo aye ae ie massi oe ization. The country became the colony a) Spatholics. next 300 years. As 3 result, the Albayanos became : y' . t associated with Albay is the eae tae The symbol mos‘ ctive volcano, 2,462 meters (8, aes ig i near perfectly-shaped active, 152% municipalities and 3 cities as wel * inthe ud be seen provinces of Sorsogon, Masbate :i 86.13 Albay has a total land area of 2,554.06 square kilometers (9! Squarg miles). The province is generally m and seen Aside from Mayon Volcano, Mount Masaraga and Mount Malinao. The western coast of the province is mountainous but Not ag prominent as the eastern range with the highest Ss oe 490 meters (1,610 ft.). Among these mountains are Moun Urawan in Ligao and Mount Pantao in Oas& Libon. , ; : - i lly fair The climate in Albay is tropical and the weather is generally r throughout the year with moderate rain showers during the second hai of the year. A relatively warm and sunny season is experienced from March to July. In the past, until the late 80s the province used to experience frequent weather disturbances, sometimes experiencing as much as 1g typhoons in one year. This prompted the province to launch a massive disaster mitigation and climate change adaptation program. It was the first in the country and probably in the world to establish a Climate Change Academy. inous with scattered fertile Plains Sane it has two other major peaks The Albay province is a paradise located in the Bicol Region of the Philippines, 460km (287mi) south of Manila. Albay is home to the spectacular Mayon Volcano, the region’s crown jewel and one of the great wonders of the world. Only one hour away is the natural habitat of the fascinating Whale aa in Donsol, an amazing interactive eco-experience for the whole ‘amily. Albay is filled with many natural wonders: waterfalls, caves, natural springs, beaches and marine life. The local cuisines are delectable, and for those who like to shop, there are plenty of the finest abaca handicrafts, cutleries and cerami is Cheep ‘amics. The people are friendly and Famous attractions in Albay are Mayon Volcan iti n Hills Formation Reserve, Sumlang Lake. Mayon skyline Vane ‘Deck, Quitinday Underground River, Kawa-Kawa Hill and Natural Park, Cagsawa Ruins Park, Lignon Hill, Solong Eco Park and Cagraray Eco Energy Park. Camarines Norte is a province located in the Bicol region i of the Philippines. Its capital is Daet. The province boEtinrs Guerre the west, Camarines Sur to the south, and the Philippine Sea to the north The province has a land area of 2,320.07 square ki rs or 895.78 square miles. Its population as determined by omerCensus Was 583,313. This re, 40.06% of the total population area Bicol Region, 1.01% of the over iI pulation of the Luzon island grou or 0.58% of the entire population of the Philippines. Based on these figures, the population density is computed at 251 inhabitants per square kilometer or 651 inhabitants per square mile. i Camarines Norte has municipalities. The total number oe barangays in the province is 282. During the early years of Spanish rule, Camarines Norte was part of a province called Ambos Camarines. This was split into the northern and southern provinces in 1829 but was again merged in 1854. In 1857, the province was again separated and once more reunited in 1893. Finally, in March 10, 1917, the Philippine Legislature decreed the partition of Ambos Camarines into Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur. Tt was formally declared a province on March 10, 1917 unter Republic Act No. 2711. Its native inhabitants are called Bicolanos, with a dialect called Bicol. However, on the northern fringes of the province, the people speak an adulterated Bicol with influences of Tagalog. Camarines Norte is known for its mineral deposits of gold, silver, iron, zinc, bull quartz, while its non-metallic minerals include sand, limestone, clay and kaolin. The waters of the province abound with fish and other marine products. Its farm lands are planted with coconut, banan, corn, palay and rootcrops. Farming and mining are its most important industries. Other industries are forestry products and fishing. The province is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations i i i i itural and in the country, with natural attractions and interesting cu religious festivities. It boasts of clean white-sand beaches, underground caves, waterfalls, historical shrines, and parklands. The proximity of the 1 5 t only allows it to maintain a thriving tourism i ; 4 ost scenic shorelines in this part of the eon ae rE popular beaches and waterfalls are the Bagasbas beach located in Bagasbas, Daet; Mercedes Group of Islands in the municipality of Mercedes; Mangcamagong gent Mercedes; Calaguas Group of Islands, Vinzons: eee oe ickhinsn oe Beach, Mercedes; Pag-as@ Beach, Jose Panganiban; Mananap Falls, San Vicente; and Colasi Falls,marines Sur is a province in the pris situated in the Bicol eg occupying the southeastern peninsul : of Luzon and the outlying islan provinces of Masbate and Catanduanes. Its capital is the Municipality of Pili. The province has a land area of 5,497.03 square kilometers or 2,122.42 square miles. Its population as determined by the 2015 ieee 2 4 was 1,952,544. This represente ee : 33.68% of the total population of the tier Bicol Region, 3.40% of the overall population of the Luzon island group, or 1.93% of the entire population of the Philippines. Based on these figures, the population density is computed at 355 inhabitants per square kilometer or 920 inhabitants per square mile. Camarines Sur has 35 municipalities and 2 cities. The total number of barangays in the province is 1,063. The province is also the center of religious observances. There are numerous festivals that prove how devoted the people are to their religion. The feast of Our Lady of Pefiafrancia, the patron of the Bicolanos, is one of the country’s most important festivals celebrated every month o° September in Naga City. The festivity starts with a penitential procession at dawn participated by the barefooted, male devotees of Our Lady 2 boat races on the river in the morning. At around noon, the Vir image is carried aboard a decorated barge for a fluvial Procession. In Iriga City, the famous Tinagba festival is held every February to honor the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. The townspeople offer their benevolent harvest to the Gods in expressing their thanks. During the festivity, 2 Parade is held featuring the colorful and grandiosely decorated carabao- drawn carts filled with the products harvested from their farms. : Agri-based, Producing rice, corn, feedmeal, freshwater fish, livestock. Entrepreneurs engage in trading, often branching out towards neighboring provinces in the south as local demand might be limited, indicated by its mostly 3rd-5th income class municipalities. A famous destination in the Bicol region, Camarines Sur has @ lot of tourist spots. They are known for their beaches, extreme wate" sports, parks, and water facades. Some are CamSur Watersports Complex, Consocep Mountain Resort, Mt. Isarog National Park, Itbo9 Twin Falls, Haciendas De Naga Resort, Sabang Beach, Basilica of OU" Lady of Penafrancia, The Caramoan Islands and Panicuason Hot Springs & Adventure Park.jon 15 a . prov : Philippines located in the Se ine ne It is the southernmost Foti gion. maar Luzon and is subdivided into Toure in ges municipalities (towns) and one we” SO 7 Its capital is Sorsogon City formate AS Z the towns of Sorsogon and B erly . ‘ C acon) and porders the province of Alp; bot ay to the ~ , SORSOGON Sorsogon is at the tip of the Bicol Peninsula and faces the island of Samar to the southeast across the San eemmardine Strait and Ticao Island to the southwest. Sorsoguefios is how the people of Sorsogon cal themselves. The Province has a land area of 3,119.01 square kilomet or 818.15 square miles. Its population as determined by the Census was 792,949. This represented 13.68% of the total popul of the Bicol Region, 1.38% of the overall population of the Luzon is: group, or 0.79% of the entire population of the Philippines. Based these figures, the population density is computed at 374 inhabitant: square kilometer or 969 inhabitants per square mile. Sorsogon has 14 municipalities and 1 city. The total! number of barangays in the province is 541. Sorsogons’s terrain is very hilly with no large mountain range highest elevation is Mt. Bulusan, an active volcano. Its total lanc is 214,144 hectares divided into 16 municipalities including the town of Sorsogon. It has 641 barangays, two congressional distric is considered as a 2nd class province. saan} a The gradual conquest and christianization of Li ne expeditionary forces of Legazpi and Urdaneta started in Sorsogor In 1569, Captain Luis Enriquez de Guzman, with Agustinian priests, reached ‘the native settlement of Otavi (site of the old town of Bulan and celebrated the first mass in the island of Luzon lated provinces i of the most densely popu in the Sorsogon Stoel population of 522,212 in 1990. Many of its ji habiant re migrants from the Visayas such aS: farays an Hiligaynons, Bicolanos, Nawever, remain the dominant cultural group. The once rich timbe joitation. Its waters, depleted by wanton forest exPION2 1 cits consist of limestone, sand, y Its mineral Seon bles; ceramics and boulders. 'N marine resources. 1t ; Coal, pumice and punicite, white ce ‘abaca, coconut and rootcrops. Among its main crops are ; farming, fishing, livestock and ince are " The major industries of the Prov jor indu: n by the gon have been steadily s of Sorso! r resource however, are still richpoultry raising and copra-making. Cottage industries include handicrag, Pottery and food preservation. ion ii i i ikling Beach, Pagurirs, Top attraction in the region are Subic and Ti am Island, Bagateo Island Lighthouse, Libanon Beach, eae Beach, Rizal Beach, Bayugin Falls, Tolong-Gapo Beach, Palogtok Falls and Up. Falls. Catanduanes The province is geographically situated at the easternmost part of the Bicol Peninsula, separated from the mainland Bicol by the Maqueda Channel and the Lagonoy Gulf. It is the first landmass of the Philippine archipelago to kiss the Pacific Ocean, making it directly open CAMARINES to the path of tropical cyclones, thus CATANDUANES the moniker, “The Land of the Howling Winds”.Its capital is the Municipality of Virac. The province has a land area of 1,492.16 square kilometers or 576.13 square miles. Its population as determined by the 2015 Census was 260,964. This represented 4.50% of the total population of the Bicol Region, 0.45% of the overall population of the Luzon island group, or 0.26% of the entire Population of the Philippines. Based on these figures, the population density is computed at 175 inhabitants per square kilometer or 453 inhabitants per square mile. Catanduanes has 11 munici palities. The total number of barangays in the province is 315 The whole island is virtually a single mountain mass, with low mountains rising almost directly from the western shore. A narrow depression runs in the midsection of the island. Its limited plains alon9 the coast face the Pacific Ocean. Catanduanes’ geography ex Poses it to frequent typh . It has no dry season as rain falls throug! a ees hout the year, The inhabitants speak the Bicolano dialect with a distinctive accent. The natives are known for their religious fervor, which many attribute to their constant exposure to typhoons. * Major crops are rice, corn, coconut, abaca and rootcrops. Fishing ranks second to farming as the main source of livelihood, The province has no major industry except cottage industries which are abaca- a" forestry-based.Binurong Point, Tw; ; Win Rock point, Bato Church, Cagn; Beach Resort, sakahon Beach, Bote Lape, Rolling Hills, Palumbanes Groce ¢freeey Zatanduanes Museum use, Cororian, Maribina Falls, Hitoma Lake, é I » Virac the tourist destinations the prec and Marilima Beach are some of Masbate is an isiang Province in the [ philippines located near the mi 1 = i | the nation’s archipelago, Its rane | Cea is Masbate City and consists of three | major islands: Masbate, Ticao and ee: Burias. Masbate is at the crossroads of two island groups: Luzon and Visayas. Being administratively assigned to the | Bicol Region, it is politically part of the | Luzon island group. However, from MASBATE a biogeographic and sociolinguistic perspective, Masbate has a stronger affiliation with Visayas. Ase Gt i The province has a land area PLACER of 4,151.78 square kilometers or stan 1,603.01 square miles. Its population as determined by the 2015 Census was 892,393. This represented 15.39% of the total population of the Bicol Region, 1.55% of the overall population of the Luzon island group, or 0.88% of the entire population of the Philippines. Basec these figures, the population density is computed at 215 inhabitants square kilometer or 557 inhabitants per square mile. Masbate has 20 municipalities and 1 city. The total number of barangays in the province is 550. i he center of the Philippine ically, Masbate lies exactly in t : scniplago north of he Vssya Ten Tne et ae pees ae inting north. tt arrowhead with its tip polralo Channel separates it from Panay Island hae Gulf, while the ee the two islands of Burias and Ticao from the ¢ Masbate Pass separ main island of Masbate. Ethnically, as well as geog er i rt of the raphically, the province is par Si of islands which includes Ramblon, Marindugue, Den oa ony other small islands. There is an a Wy Rue aan on reais in the area, and their language, : icolano cu cb Bikol, Waray-Waray, Cebuano, Bisakol blend of Capiznon, Hilda yprasbate Island speaks Masbatefio, Romblomanon and Tagalog. ‘ds Cebu speaks Cebuano and the b i 's towar' a f Ti but the ee which Pos Panay speaks Hiligaynon. All of Ticao Peninsula which poiIsland and half of Burias Island speak Masbatefio, but northern Burias speaks. The people of Masbate were formerly called “Visaya” but when the Province was transferred to Bicol region during the regime of Presiden: Ferdinand Marcos, they were called “Bicolanos” or “Masbatenos”. Many of its people are immigrants from several provinces such as Romblo- and Panay Island provinces. The people of Masbate are known as best in agriculture, history, politics and geography means. Some of the tourist attraction are Sombrero Island, Mataba- Tinigban to Napayuan Island, Cagpating Island, Tinalisayan Island Aroroy Beach, Colara Beach, Ki-Albay River and Beach in Claveria, San Isidro beach, Kalanay Falls, Catandayagan Falls, Ubo Falls, Tagoron Waterfalls, Limestone Hills, Underwater Cave, Bat-ongan Caves, Batongan Underground River , Matangtubig Spring, Bugui Point Lighthouse and Colorado Lighthouse.